Written in the Stars(81)

Darcy crossed her arms. “I suppose.”

“I’ve got to say, you look a lot more serious than you made it sound last week.”

Darcy shut her eyes. “We were dancing, Mom. It’s a party, there’s music. What do you expect?”

“I don’t expect anything.” When Darcy opened her eyes, Mom frowned. “I don’t know when you got the idea in your head that I’m not on your side. I’m not your enemy, baby, I’m confused. Brendon’s telling me one thing and you’re telling me something else and what I see is . . . well, it’s difficult for me to understand what it is I’m supposed to believe.”

“Of course you’re confused,” Darcy whispered. “You’re drunk.”

Mom looked offended. “I am not.”

Drunk or not, it wasn’t for Mom to understand. “I already told you. It’s complicated.”

“Complicated.” Mom’s lips furrowed at the corners. “There’s that word again. That word worries me for you.”

“You’re worried about me? That’s a first.”

“You’re the one who made it clear that I haven’t acted much like a mother to you over the years. Excuse me for doing what I can to make up for it now.”

Talk about too little, too late. Her life was her business, not Mom’s to dissect and give unwelcome advice on.

“Darcy.” Mom reached out and rested a hand on Darcy’s crossed forearm. “I’m not trying to be difficult. Elle’s . . . sweet. But you have to admit, she seems a bit more like your brother’s type, doesn’t she?”

“What in god’s name is that supposed to mean?” She didn’t mean to take the bait, but that was ludicrous.

Mom made an abstract gesture in front of her. “An astrologer?”

“Like you don’t spend two weeks every summer at a spiritual retreat in Ojai getting high out of your mind.”

Mom rolled her eyes. “I don’t mean anything by it. I’m just surprised. She doesn’t seem like your type at all.”

Darcy shook her head. “I don’t see why it matters. Last week you were telling me I could use some fun in my life.”

“That was when I thought that’s all it was.” Mom drained her glass. “She seems a little flighty, is all I’m saying.”

Darcy scoffed. “That’s rich, coming from you.”

Mom drew back, looking as if Darcy had slapped her. “I know I wasn’t always there, but I’m trying.”

“You know nothing, Mom. And you definitely don’t know her.”

“And you do? How long have you known her? You thought you knew Natasha, didn’t you?”

Darcy crossed her arms tighter, fists pressing into her sides, digging into her ribs. “I know Elle.”

“God, I—” Mom snatched another glass of champagne and stole a quick sip.

“What, Mom? Just say it.”

Mom shook her head subtly and stared out across the dance floor for a moment before finally turning her head and pinning Darcy with a bewildered stare. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were in love.”





Chapter Eighteen


You seriously like the addition to the chat feature?”

Brendon bobbed his head enthusiastically as he led Elle around the dance floor. “It’s brilliant. Seriously. It’s a bit more involved for the engineers, but the perks are undeniable. Encouraging users to continue chatting in the app for as long as possible . . . Elle. The projections are showing gains that are”—Brendon grinned boyishly, charming—“astronomical. The cost-benefit analysis speaks for itself.”

“That’s great, Brendon. I’m guessing you already told your new best friend the news? I’m feeling awfully left out.”

“Hush. You’re all adorably coupled up with my sister. Don’t act like we left you high and dry.” He raised their hands, encouraging her to twirl. She laughed and went for it. “But yeah, I did. Margot told me it was your idea.”

“It was a joint effort.” Elle craned her neck, peeking over his shoulder. “Have you seen her lately? Margot? We came together and she went MIA on me.”

Elle was dying to get Margot’s opinion on her strange introduction to Darcy’s mom.

Brendon wrinkled his nose and something soft and gentle ached inside her chest, not unpleasant, full. Darcy wrinkled her nose the exact same way.

His eyes swept the room. “I think I saw her chatting with a few of the folks in product design before I came over here.”

“I’ll hunt her down later.” Stumbling, Elle smiled in appreciation when he kept her from toppling over.

For a moment, they moved to the music, the silence between them comfortable, companionable.

Brendon cleared his throat. “About that with my mom.”

Elle bit the inside of her cheek. “Yeah. What was that?”

Brendon shut his eyes, briefly since he was the one leading. “It’s . . . nothing to worry about. Don’t take it personally.”

Sure, because that was easy. Elle never did that.

“Easier said than done, though, right?” Brendon stole the words right from her head. “I know. Don’t let it get to you. Darcy knows what she feels. I’m serious. Darcy’s crazy about you, you know that, right?”